EnviroPolitics Blog

Congress caving on energy bill?

“All the tough talk in Washington, D.C. about the need to combat global warming, make America energy independent and stimulate the economy with homegrown, renewable energy sources turned to a whisper on Thursday, as House and Senate Democratic leaders reportedly said they would remove key provisions for the renewable energy industries from the latest energy bill. “

So reports Renewable Energy Access. The industry newsletter says that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi have “decided to remove a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and all tax provisions benefiting renewables so that they could pass an energy bill through Congress before Thanksgiving break on Friday, November 16.”

“This is basically Congress delivering an early Christmas present to the American public — and it’s a lump of coal,” said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “We are feeling disgusted because this energy bill goes right back to maintaining the status quo.”

That status quo, said Resch, means continued support for coal, oil and natural gas, additional support for biofuels, but no support for renewable forms of electricity such as solar, wind and geothermal.

The impact of such a decision is already being felt. Bloomberg.com reports today that the European stock of two German solar companies–Solarworld AG and Ersol Solar Energy AG– declined on SEIA’s website report that Congressional leaders are planning to remove solar investment tax credits from the energy bill.

Today, in Where’s That Energy Bill?, New York Times editorial writers echo the concerns of the nation’s alternative-energy industry, noting: “With both houses feeling pressure to do something — anything — to deal with high oil prices, there’s a real danger that one or more essential provisions could be dropped just for the sake of producing a bill.

The Times says that “doesn’t have to happen if the leadership, Nancy Pelosi in the House and Harry Reid in the Senate, hold the line and insist on legislation equal to the country’s profound energy problems.”

Do you have any faith in Congress to produce a meaningful energy bill? Click on the “comment” line below and tell us what you think.

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EnviroBusiness News for NJ, PA & NY – 11/13/07

For the latest on:

NRG Energy
Toll Brothers
New Jersey Future
Aqua America
Foster
Wheeler
PSEG Global
A. D. Marble & Company

and more…

Check out EnviroPolitics’ EnviroBusiness News
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EnviroPolitics welcomes news from your company or organization for its EnviroBusiness News column. You do not need to subscribe to the newsletter to utilize this free service. Send your information to: editor@enviropolitics.com

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A flock of environmental bills lands in New Jersey’s lame duck session

After a summer slumber that lingered into fall–and all the way through Election Day on Nov. 6–New Jersey lawmakers are back in action and introducing scores of new bills. Almost 50 of the news measures introduced on Nov 8 involve environmental and energy issues.

Here are a just a few of the fledgling fliers making their debut in the lame duck session:

A-4440 Dancer, R.S. (R-30)Provides for the licensure of tree experts and tree care operators, and the registration of their employers.

A-4469 Manzo, L. (D-31); McKeon, J.F. (D-27)
Authorizes DEP to remove or order abatement of environmental nuisance.

A-4477 Watson Coleman, B. (D-15); Scalera, F. (D-36)
Establishes school chemical management program; appropriates $90,000.

A-4483 Vainieri Huttle, V. (D-37)
The “Smart Container Act.”

A-4513 Rooney, J.E. (R-39)
Provides that a solid waste collector will not collect the contents of a solid waste container containing designated recyclable materials until the resident removes the recyclable material.

A-4552 McKeon, J.F. (D-27)
Provides for decreases and eventual ban on use of non-compostable plastic grocery bags.

A-4555 Conaway, H. (D-7); Conners, J. (D-7)
“Plastic Bag Recycling Act.”

A-4556 McKeon, J.F. (D-27)
Authorizes DEP to sell, by auction or otherwise, allowances from greenhouse gas emissions trading programs, and establishes “Global Warming Consumer Benefit Fund.”

A-4559 Chivukula, U.J. (D-17)
The “New Jersey Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act.”

S-2856 Littell, R.E. (R-24)Prohibits State departments and agencies from considering or requiring compliance by Highlands planning area municipalities with Highlands regional master plan in certain circumstance.

S-2885 (A-4297) Adler, J.H. (D-6)Provides for civil and criminal penalties for giving false information pertaining to violations of environmental laws

S-2893 Sweeney, R.J. (D-3)Revises statutory law concerning shellfisheries

S-2936 Smith, B. (D-17); Buono, B. (D-18)Revises law concerning net metering for electricity and renewable energy portfolio standards.

SCR-148 Singer, R.W. (R-30)Proposes constitutional amendment to preserve right of people to hunt, fish and harvest game subject to certain restrictions as may be prescribed by the Legislature.

These new bills are in addition to more than 7,000 already introduced in the current, two-year session that ends at the start of the new year.
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Is your facility subject to new Homeland Security rules?

Don’t assume that the Department of Homeland Security’s new, anti-terrorist security regulations affect only chemical facilities.

Any office, apartment, hospital, college, public works department, small business or other location that uses or stores any of 300 listed chemicals over certain quantities is subject to the rules and must conduct a facility survey and submit certain reports by early January, 2008.

Failure to comply could result in civil or administrative penalties–even a shutdown order!

In an Environmental Alert prepared for its clients, the law firm of K&LGates describes the new program and details the steps facilities must take to comply with the regulations.

We recommend that you check it out. It might help you avoid a lot of grief and expense in January.

SIDEBAR: In an editorial today, the New York Times today ripped the new Homeland Security regulations. Here’s a section of it:

“The rules the department issued last week are far too lax about when facilities need to report stockpiles of chemicals like chlorine, fluorine and hydrogen fluoride to the government. According to the new rules, which watered-down proposed rules that the department had released in April, a chemical plant does not have to report the storage of 2,499 pounds of chlorine, even if it is located in a populated area — or across from an elementary school.

If 450 pounds of chlorine are stolen, enough to cause mass casualties, the theft need not be reported. Chlorine has been used by insurgents in Iraq, and it is high on the list of chemicals that should be kept out of terrorists’ hands.

It is troubling that these industry-friendly rules were developed in part by Department of Homeland Security employees who previously worked for the chemical industry — and who may one day work for it again. Rick Hind, the legislative director of the Greenpeace Toxics Campaign, contends that such employees have had an “undue influence.” The department says it draws on former chemical industry workers simply because of their “relevant prior experience.”

Is your facility subject to new Homeland Security rules? Read More »

Enviro-Events Calendar – November, 2007

The daily electronic newsletter, EnviroPolitics, accepts events information for free listings in its EnviroEvents Calendar. The calendar is updated daily and available 24/7
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November 3
4th Annual Pine Barrens Hall of Fame Awards Banquet 5 to 9 p.m., Braddock’s Tavern, 39 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. Please join us and other lovers of the Pine Barrens in celebrating heroes of Pinelands preservation. The Pine Barrens Hall of Fame Awards have been created to recognize individuals who have played a vital role in New Jersey Pinelands preservation and awareness. The 2007 Awards recognize volunteer citizen activists who whose advocacy for the Pine Barrens helped bring about the creation of the Pinelands National Reserve and the passage of the Pinelands Protection Act of 1979. Citizen Activist Honorees: Nan Hunter Walnut, Col. Elmer C. Rowley, USMCR, and Janet Jackson Gould. Educator Honorees: Terry O’Leary, Christine Raabe and George Young. PROGRAM: 5 pm: Reception (cash bar); 6 pm: Greetings and Dinner; 6:45 pm: Hall of Fame Induction and Recognition of Pinelands Educators Tickets:$45 per person. Net proceeds benefit PPA’s educational programs. Space Is Limited! For more information or ticket purchase, please contact Jane at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance at 609-859-8860 x12.

November 7
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Stakeholder Meeting 10 a.m., New York State Museum Theater, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to allow the research team led by the University of Virginia and Resources for the Future to present their Phase-II findings and for agency staff to hear stakeholder comment on the draft report of that research and auction design issues. The agenda for the meeting, the draft Phase-II auction research report, and instructions for submitting written comments will be posted at http://www.rggi.org/ by October 26. The comment period will extend to November 15. Directions to the museum and parking information may be found Here. The meeting will start promptly at 10:30 a.m., but as check-in and registration will take some time, please plan to arrive at approximately 10 a.m. when the museum opens To facilitate check-in, please pre-register for the meeting. To pre-register, send an email to nyrggi@gw.dec.state.ny.us . Please include the phrase “Will Attend 11/07/07 RGGI Meeting” in the subject line of your email. There will be no response to this email. It is not necessary to email if you do not plan to attend this meeting. Questions? Contact Mark Lowery, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 518-402-8044, mdlowery@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

November 7
11th Annual SWEP Touchstone Award Reception 6 to 9 p.m., The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20thStreet, Philadelphia, PA. The Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater Philadelphia (SWEP) will honor Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia,Inc., with its annual Touchstone Award at a special reception. State Representative Carole Rubley will be the keynote speaker at the event. Representative Rubley serves on the House Environmental Resourcesand Energy Committee. SWEP’s Touchstone award is given annuallyto a woman who has made outstanding and significant contributions inthe environmental professions. Past recipients include women who have made environmental careers in government, business, science and advocacy including: Kathy Klein, Executive Director of the Partnershipfor the Delaware Estuary, Sarah M. Hetznecker, P.G., a leader in the environmental consulting industry, Louise Thompson, Esq. of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Carol Collier of the Delaware Basin Commission, Marilyn Hewitt, P.G. of Roux Associates, and Dr. Ruth Patrick of theAcademy of Natural Sciences. This year’s Touchstone recipient is Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, Inc. The ECA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to ensuring that low and moderate income people have access to safe, affordable and reliable sources of energy and water. ECA works to develop a sustainable energy future for the region through energy conservation and renewable energy. Together with its citywide network of Neighborhood Energy Centers,ECA provides over 50,000 energy services to more than 30,000 low income households every year. SWEP members: $20/person in advance, $25/person at door. Non-SWEP members: $30/person in advance, $35 at door. RSVP by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 to touchstone.2007@yahoo.com

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Send information on your upcoming event to: Event@EnviroPolitics.com

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November 11-14
NARUC 119th Annual Convention Anaheim, California If you are responsible for regulatory affairs functions at your company, you MUST attend the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Annual Convention. You will hear federal and State regulators and policymakers, consumer groups, and industry experts give their analysis on climate change, energy efficiency, natural gas markets, and disaster communications. Why read about it in the press when you can be there in person? Register Online – Click Here List of current registrants

November 13-15
2007 WASTEWISE & NPEP Conference: Building Community and Business Partnerships, Marriott Metro Center, Washington, D.C. Welcome Reception will be hosted by Anheuser-Busch and General Motors. Please join us on Tuesday, November 13th from 5– 7 pm at the Marriott Metro Center! PSEG will be hosting the Networking Reception on Wednesday, November 14th at the Capitol City Brewing Company. 2007 award winners include: Rutgers University, the City of Clifton, NJ, New Jersey Natural Gas Company and NJ Resources Corp. Revised agenda Registration

November 14-16
Geothermal Finance and Investment Summit Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose, CA. Visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=x6qouecab.0.x7ljffcab.gjkehun6.176783&ts=S0289&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infocastinc.com%2Fgeotherm%2Fregistration.html to view the Summit agenda and register or call 818.888.4444

November 14-16
Carbon Reduction Project – Development & Finance Omni Houston Westside Hotel, Houston, TX. Carbon Reduction Project Development & Finance is the first event to assemble experienced carbon market players, developers and financiers from throughout the world to share their insights into developing, certifying and financing profitable GHG emission reduction projects. Learn how to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in both international and US markets. To registeror obtain more information about this unique event, please visit the event website at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=yknmefcab.0.y4kkmfcab.gjkehun6.176783&ts=S0290&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infocastinc.com%2Fcarbonred.html, or call (818) 888-4444

November 16
Make Recycling Work for Your Business! 8 a.m. to Noon, Atlantic Cape Community College, Cape May Campus. The Cape May Solid Waste Management Plan designates 41 waste materialsfor mandatory recycling. Find out how your business can source separate these materials and comply with the law. $15 for CMCCofC members. $25 for non-members. A panel of business owners and managers representing Accommodations, Camping, Retail, Restaurant, Marina and small business industries will share their expertise on successful and effective methods of handling recycling materials. Invited speakers include: Guy Watson, NJDEP Bureau of Recycling and Planning; Charles M. Norkis, P.E., executive director, Cape May County MUA; Dominick D’Altilio, president, Association of New Jersey Recyclers, and Bridget O’Connor, Cape May County MUA Recycling Director. Information and registration: 609-465-5017. Brochure: http://www.cmcmua.com/

November 28-30
Wind Power Development Tutorial Hotel Derek, Houston, Texas. What does it really take to bring a wind farm successfully to market? What can the numbers look like, and what kinds of business models and financing vehicles will be best suited to your unique needs? This course will offer utilities and independent developers still new to wind power the essential tools and orientation to move ahead with confidence. It will help existing developers to bulletproof their plans and projects, while potential investors, partners and financiers will gain insights into the inner dynamics of wind business models so they can sharpen their due diligence, credit and valuation analysis. Information and registration at: www.infocastinc.com/winddev.html

November 29-30
5th Annual Volunteer Water Monitoring Summit Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River, in Pennsauken, NJ. Presented by The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Watershed Watch Network Advisory Council and Camden County Park Systems. This year’s theme is Protecting NJ’s Water Resources: Improving Communication between Stewards. The goal is to increase efforts between local and governmental agencies. Keynote speaker is Maya von Rossom, the Delaware Riverkeeper. The audience for this forum includes local volunteers, watershed associations, volunteer program coordinators, private and public partners, academics, federal, state and local government representatives and other environmental stakeholders. Agenda and registration at: www.cookce.rutgers.edu/vmsummit For information, contact: Dalynn R. Knigge at: (732) 932-9271 x.622

Enviro-Events Calendar – November, 2007 Read More »

Is your air purifier committing impure acts?

If it emits ozone above certain limits it is, says the California Air Resources Board (CARB) which has enacted the nation’s first regulations for home air purifiers.

CARB says that some air cleaning devices, called ozone generators, have been shown to produce indoor ozone concentrations several times higher than that state’s outdoor air quality standard. The Board’s new regulation prohibits the sale of devices in California that produce enough ozone to harm human health. How high is that? CARB sets the level at .050 parts per million.

Now that California has its air purifier regulation in place, it’s just a matter of time before environmental organizations start advocating for similar restrictions in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

Maybe they’re necessary. Maybe they’re not. If you have an opinion, let us know by clicking on the “comments” line below.

More information on the CARB rule is available here.

Is your air purifier committing impure acts? Read More »